Just a little background before you continue: I have one Bachelor of Arts in Critical Languages (You can probably see why I needed a career change). Kidding. I don’t regret that degree. The job market is just tough and I needed to adapt. So, I was a liberal arts student before entering a computer science program at UT Dallas. Computer Science is undoubtedly harder, but it’s very rewarding so far and I love it.
From studying in a liberal arts field to straight science, I highlighted two main differences I noticed in CS and some advice for new students entering computer science. Of course, this doesn’t reflect everyone’s experiences in computer science, just what I experienced.
First, I wanted to list some basic college tips that aren’t necessarily specific to computer science, but still important:
Now computer science tips:
There are multiple ways to solve a problem, but there is only one right answer.
What I love most about studying software development (computer science), is the freedom to create a program however you’d like, as long as the output is correct. One of the first programming assignments I had, the professor began to go over the instructions and what needed to be done. Instead he said something along the lines of, “So, if you take a look at the projector… You all need to make your output look just like that. I don’t care how you do it, just make it look like that.”
My first thought was, “What the fuck. This professor is way too chill.” But I started to realize that most of the classes I was taking teach a basic foundation for how to solve a problem. You use the basics of what you learn in class and apply it to solve a problem in an assignment.
Basically, you have to think on your own.
Eventually, it will be a problem that your employer gives you that you need to solve for your job.
Confusion is natural.
I have noticed that learning how to program is a small step into a new world of data mining, graphics, programming languages, language processing, algorithms, and anything else incorporated in a computer science degree. Most of these topics in computer science are very recent in software development, as modern computers are barely half a century old.
As a student, you will be learning material that is still uncharted and is constantly changing. Your professors will have learned languages like FORTRAN, COBAL, and Python as students and they will be teaching you languages like C++, C, and Java. It’s even common in your junior and senior level classes to have professors who don’t even completely understand the material themselves.
It’s perfectly natural to feel confused.
Unless you’re Alan Turing, who knew what a modern computer was before they even existed, you will be confused most of the time when learning this material. And I know you wish that you were Alan Turing or Steve Wozniak, but let reality set in. Because you’re not. And that’s okay! You can still contribute to the evolution of technology and make a difference in its progress.
It’s important to stay confident in this degree plan, because there are a lot of students who believe that they are the next Steve Wozniak and they try hard in their efforts to make sure others know this. Don’t let this discourage you. As long as you know the material and you understand it, that’s all that matters. If you don’t understand it, then just try a bit harder today than yesterday, or study a bit longer on this quiz than the last one. It’s a slow process, but you will always be improving as long as you put effort into it.
Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help. You shouldn’t be worried about your peers and how well they understand the material, even if “that one guy” who thinks he’s a programming prodigy makes it seem like what you’re learning is easy, because it’s not. And he’s a dick.
Many of your professors are likely to be passionate about the world of CS and development, and they are all more than happy to answer any of your questions. Stay confident and just learn it all. Try your best, even if it’s a C. If your best is an F, you may want to reconsider computer science as a degree. If you’re passionate about computer science and technology, there are plenty jobs out there that aren’t necessarily in software development. Don’t be discouraged.
*I mentioned Alan Turing earlier, if you don’t know who he is, you need to. There’s even a somewhat accurate movie of him with Benedict Cumberbatch that you can watch.
- Dylan
From studying in a liberal arts field to straight science, I highlighted two main differences I noticed in CS and some advice for new students entering computer science. Of course, this doesn’t reflect everyone’s experiences in computer science, just what I experienced.
First, I wanted to list some basic college tips that aren’t necessarily specific to computer science, but still important:
- Study
- Go to class
- Don’t party before a midterm
- Study for your midterm
- Do your homework
- Sleep
- Pay your rent
Now computer science tips:
There are multiple ways to solve a problem, but there is only one right answer.
What I love most about studying software development (computer science), is the freedom to create a program however you’d like, as long as the output is correct. One of the first programming assignments I had, the professor began to go over the instructions and what needed to be done. Instead he said something along the lines of, “So, if you take a look at the projector… You all need to make your output look just like that. I don’t care how you do it, just make it look like that.”
My first thought was, “What the fuck. This professor is way too chill.” But I started to realize that most of the classes I was taking teach a basic foundation for how to solve a problem. You use the basics of what you learn in class and apply it to solve a problem in an assignment.
Basically, you have to think on your own.
Eventually, it will be a problem that your employer gives you that you need to solve for your job.
Confusion is natural.
I have noticed that learning how to program is a small step into a new world of data mining, graphics, programming languages, language processing, algorithms, and anything else incorporated in a computer science degree. Most of these topics in computer science are very recent in software development, as modern computers are barely half a century old.
As a student, you will be learning material that is still uncharted and is constantly changing. Your professors will have learned languages like FORTRAN, COBAL, and Python as students and they will be teaching you languages like C++, C, and Java. It’s even common in your junior and senior level classes to have professors who don’t even completely understand the material themselves.
It’s perfectly natural to feel confused.
Unless you’re Alan Turing, who knew what a modern computer was before they even existed, you will be confused most of the time when learning this material. And I know you wish that you were Alan Turing or Steve Wozniak, but let reality set in. Because you’re not. And that’s okay! You can still contribute to the evolution of technology and make a difference in its progress.
It’s important to stay confident in this degree plan, because there are a lot of students who believe that they are the next Steve Wozniak and they try hard in their efforts to make sure others know this. Don’t let this discourage you. As long as you know the material and you understand it, that’s all that matters. If you don’t understand it, then just try a bit harder today than yesterday, or study a bit longer on this quiz than the last one. It’s a slow process, but you will always be improving as long as you put effort into it.
Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help. You shouldn’t be worried about your peers and how well they understand the material, even if “that one guy” who thinks he’s a programming prodigy makes it seem like what you’re learning is easy, because it’s not. And he’s a dick.
Many of your professors are likely to be passionate about the world of CS and development, and they are all more than happy to answer any of your questions. Stay confident and just learn it all. Try your best, even if it’s a C. If your best is an F, you may want to reconsider computer science as a degree. If you’re passionate about computer science and technology, there are plenty jobs out there that aren’t necessarily in software development. Don’t be discouraged.
*I mentioned Alan Turing earlier, if you don’t know who he is, you need to. There’s even a somewhat accurate movie of him with Benedict Cumberbatch that you can watch.
- Dylan